AID TO INDOOR PLANTS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 171, 6 August 1937, Page 14

AID TO INDOOR PLANTS

Some readers tell us that they just can 't get palms to grow indoors successfully. There are, indeed, several reasons for fadlure, and fortunately certain cures can be suggeeted. In the first instance it ia essential that' you select the hardiest sort of plant which alone can be expected to do well in the unnatural atmosphere of a living room. These are a few, as you know. Palms intended to be grown indoors ought to be raised quite slowly in a hoase moderately' heated. You stand the greatest chance of purchasing a plant grown under these favourable conditions if you go to a reputable nurseryman rather than a hawker. Abundant water is demanded by the pot palms, and even in the winter they must not go dry. More palms .die of thirst than anything else. Good drainage is also essential; the pot must not sit in etagnating water. Sometdmes . an overlarge pot _ is accountable for a palxn's ill-health. They do much better when crowded for root room, provided you feed them with liquid manure and isoot- water throughout the summer. Weak and often is the correct method of application. Avoid draughts or putting your plants close to the gas light. Among the commonest and worst of the palm pests are scale and mealy bug. Don 't rely altogether on sponging to ehift them. Use a little bit of wood with a flattened end. This will shift the pests from their limpitlike clutch instantly. When they have been removed in this way, and the foliage spongcd with strong soapy water in which a little. paraffin has been placed — this afterwards being washed off with clean water — the affected palm has s chance of recovery.